Chicago gets a life-size Siskel and Ebert sculpture
Chicago is preparing a life‑size bronze sculpture of the legendary film‑review duo Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert. The work, expected to be finished by 2028, will stand at Prudential Plaza on East Randolph Street, a spot chosen for its visibility and proximity to the critics’ former newspaper offices.
The project is being driven by producer Pam Kasper, who has been making a documentary about the pair for two years. After seeing a smaller Ebert statue in Champaign, she launched a fundraising campaign aiming for $230,000, partnering with Chicago Gateway Green and a Hollywood memorabilia auction that includes items such as a signed "Toy Story" Jessie doll and a "Caddyshack" lobby card.
Chicago‑born sculptor Preston Jackson has been commissioned to create the piece, titled Siskel and Ebert: Two Thumbs Up. The bronze figures stand side‑by‑side, each giving the iconic thumbs‑up that defined their rating system, and are flanked by two bronze theater seats that invite passersby to sit and pose with the critics.
Beyond a striking addition to the city’s public art scene, the statue is meant to remind Chicagoans of the critics’ enduring impact on film culture and their deep roots in the city. It offers a playful, interactive way for locals and visitors alike to celebrate a duo whose spirited debates helped shape the way movies are discussed today.